Get on the grass

Beethoven to Zulu on classical calendar

May 26, 2006|By John von Rhein, Tribune music critic

In a sure sign of summer, the outdoor music venue Ravinia swings open its gates in Highland Park this week to start the season. Break out those corkscrews. If you're a Ravinia regular, a few things you already know for sure: Lake-Cook Road will crawl. The Beach Boys' July 25 concert will be hot and crowded. Some yahoos will stake out half an acre with lawn chairs and trip wires right in front of you. And then there will be moments on the grass under the stars, letting Mozart wash over you, when everything will seem right with the world and you'll be reminded why this place is a seasonal favorite.

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Here are my top picks for classical music concerts this summer.

"uShaka" -- If you were enthralled by the sweep and pageantry of "Princess Magogo" at Ravinia two summers ago, you should enjoy this epic biography of the king Shaka Zulu, who united the Zulu people in the early 19th Century. The oratorio is by the same creative team, composer Mzilikazi Khumalo and librettist Themba Msimang. South African artists from Opera Africa will take part in this American premiere.

8 p.m. June 8-9; lawn $10, pavilion $15-$60.

Beethoven piano sonatas by Garrick Ohlsson -- How many of our top pianists have the chops to tackle all 32 Beethoven sonatas in more or less one gulp? The formidable Garrick Ohlsson is among the chosen few.

8 p.m. June 12, 13, 19, 20; Aug. 28, 29; Sept. 5, 6; lawn $10; pavilion $25-$40. Buy reserved seats to four or more programs and get discounts and the opportunity to dine with the pianist.

Osvaldo Golijov's "Ainadamar" -- I found the opera, a memory-play about the life and death of the martyred Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, an intensely moving experience when I caught it last summer at the Santa Fe Opera. The Chicago-area premiere will have the wondrous soprano Dawn Upshaw reprising her role as Lorca's friend, the actress Margarita Xirgu, in a concert version by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. You'll hear a lot more of Golijov at the Chicago Symphony as of next season, when he signs on as a resident composer.

8 p.m. June 14; lawn $10, pavilion $30.

Shostakovich late symphonies and string quartets -- Ravinia is paying homage to the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich's centenary by presenting performances of his final three symphonies (Nos. 13, 14 and 15) and the final three string quartets.

Music director James Conlon will lead CSO performances of No. 13 ("Babi Yar") at 7:30 p.m. July 22 ($10-$45), No. 14 at 8 p.m. July 7 ($10-$50) and No. 15 at 8 p.m. July 28 ($10-$45). The Emerson Quartet performs Quartets Nos. 13-15 in the Martin Theatre at 8 p.m. July 17 ($10-$50).

Gershwin Gala -- The festival commemorates the 70th anniversary of George Gershwin's only Ravinia appearance with a CSO program hosted by Hershey Felder, creator and star of the show "George Gershwin Alone." Performing some of the composer's most beloved works will be conductor-pianist Andrew Litton and singers Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Who could ask for anything more? Benefit is by the Ravinia women's board.

7 p.m. July 15; lawn $10, pavilion $50-$95.

Erwin Schulhoff, "Breaking the Silence" -- Schulhoff is among the most fascinating composers of the generation of Central European musicians lost to the Holocaust. Ravinia is featuring his colorful, jazz-infused music in four concerts. Performed by the Mendelssohn String Quartet and pianist Philippe Bianconi.

8 p.m. July 20 in the Martin Theatre; $10-$40.

Mozart piano concertos -- Conlon and the CSO are devoting three Sunday afternoons to Mozart. Go for the concert played by the stylish Chicago-based pianist Jorge Federico Osorio.

5 p.m. July 30; lawn $10, pavilion $20-$45.

Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma -- You want superstars under the stars? You got 'em. America's favorite soprano will sing arias and songs with the CSO on Aug. 5. The next night, America's favorite cellist will give the local premiere of new work by Golijov for cello and orchestra. Miguel Harth-Bedoya is the conductor.

7:30 p.m. Aug 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 6; lawn $15, pavilion $30-$75.

"Scenes from Childhood" -- Robert Schumann's "Kinderszenen" is the subject of this year's "One Score, One Chicago."

8 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Martin Theatre; free.

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WHAT: Ravinia Festival 2006

WHEN: June 1 to Sept. 16

WHERE: Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION: Contact 847-266-5100 or www.ravinia.org

GETTING THERE

By car: Take I-94 to Deerfield, Central, Clavey or Lake-Cook Roads east. Ravinia's West Lot ($10) is a straight shot over on Lake-Cook, but that option gets jammed in a hurry. Follow signs to Park 'N Ride lots (free) instead.

By Metra: The Union Pacific North Line will drop you right at the West Gate. The "Ravinia Special" at 5:50 p.m. from downtown is $5 roundtrip; the train home is 15 minutes after the show; 312-836-7000 or www.metrarail.com.

GETTING FED

The picnics and al fresco wine sipping are about as much a part of Ravinia as the music. (The rules: no grills, no tents, nothing that stakes into the lawn.) Coming sans cooler? Here are a few examples from the on-site restaurants.